Highland and Coastal Charms & Hong Kong

Day 1 Beijing

Upon your arrival at the Beijing airport, our air-conditioned vehicle and local private guide pick up and transfer you to the hotel to shake off jet lag.

Day 2 Beijing

Begin your Beijing tour with the ancient Temple of Heaven where the emperor prayed for a good year and now armies of local exercisers seize the new day morning to build their body via plenty of programs like shuttlecock kicking, Taichi, jogging, etc. Walking across the history-witness Tiananmen Square, you then arrive at imperial Forbidden City, once imperial residence and office that was tight-closed for over hundreds years. In the evening, you choose to treat yourself with the sedate-style traditional art--Beijing opera or more active version--Kungfu show to color the night.

Day 3 Beijing

Today make an excursion outside the city to marvel at the ancient rampart wonder--Mutianyu Great Wall section (round-trip cable cars). Make a visit to a nearby rural village for an unrestored winding wild wall view. View the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games inheritance--Bird's Nest and Water Cube. Get another mandatory China experience in the crisp Quanjude Peking Duck banquet.

Day 4 Beijing - Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)

Paddle boat on the Kunming Lake of Summer Palace to absorb the landscape dotted with ornate temples, pavilions, and winding corridors. Jump on the rickshaw to have an intimacy with old Beijingers' life in the Hutong that has been threatening by the city face-lifting renovation. Visit a Hutong private museum with interesting old stuff collections that have deeply imprinted with Beijinger's life trace. Transfer to airport for Huangshan flight and the Huangshan guide meet and transfer you to Tunxi hotel for a good rest.

Day 5 Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)

Make a morning drive to Huangshan scenic area. You can name it to tour Huangshan via either cable car or hiking. And a recommended guided route is to ascend the summit by the convenient Yungu cable car. Catch great views of Huangshan peculiar rock formations in Cloud Dispelling Pavilion and explore the enticing West Sea Canyon.

Day 6 Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) - Shangahi

Today you can still flexibly design your Huangshan travel route. And a recommended guided tour on fairy day goes like this: On the Refreshing Terrace, capture the dramatic sunrise scene to see sea of gilded clouds shrouding jagged ridges. Beginning to Believe Peak and Flower Blooming on a Brush Tip worth a pause to catch jaw-dropping views and snap beautiful photos. Descend Huangshan via the Yungu cable car and head to ancient idyllic Hongcun and Xidi which offer you a firsthand experience to appreciate the Chinese traditional detail-filled architectures. If time permitting, walk through Tunxi Old Street and see its featured antique intriguing wooden souvenirs shops. Fly to Shanghai and transfer to the hotel.

Day 7 Shanghai

A sweeping city panorama view is easily accessible on the top observant deck of the new-height landmark, Shanghai World Financial Center. Chinese art history can be mostly paged through in the impressive complete collections in Shanghai Museum of People's Square. Visit the tranquil Jade Buddha Temple and try the authentic vegetarian dishes. Gain insights into the traditional garden design in the garden example--Yuyuan Garden and explore the nearby bustling bazaar. Highlight the evening with the awe-inspiring performance of Shanghai Acrobatic Show.

Day 8 Shanghai - Xi'an

Detailedly experience Shanghainese's life in a half-day local family visit. Visiting the local grocery market, cooking Shanghai dishes and partaking in the residents' entertainment activities can be tasted in this visit. The rest of the day is free of activity and you can explore the city on your own: venture the historic and trendy French Concession on bike or on foot or just enjoy a lazy afternoon in the business, entertainment and cultural complex area--Xintiandi. Board the maglev train to head for Xi'an flight at a lightening speed.

Day 9 Xi'an

View the Xi'an excavation highlight--the underground armies of Terracotta Warriors that carry the weight of millennia of history. Climb Great Goose Pagoda to get a sweeping view of Xi'an city. Development of Chinese culture over thousands of years can be traced in the impressive exhibitions of Shaanxi History Museum. Top off the night with the past imperial entertainment performance--Tang Dynasty Show.

Day 10 Xi'an

Cycle on the well-preserved ancient City Wall with your guide's company. Learn about the lasting influence of Xi'an Muslim community in the Great Mosque. Ease your food craving in a profusion of snacks in the busy Muslim Quarter. Shelter from the bustle of the quarter in Gao's Courtyard, the residence of an ancient officer.

Day 11 Xi'an - Lhasa

Observe the ancient daily life of the common people from the impressive exhibition of the figurines in Emperor Liu Qi Tomb. Fly to Lhasa and transfer to hotel. Less strenuous activity is advised to better acclimatize the breathtaking altitude.

Day 12 Lhasa

Embark on your Tibet spiritual tour in administrative and religious palace of Dalai Lama--Potala Palace. Visit the large intact monastery--Sera Monastery and see the monks' debating activity if time suits. Get acquainted with the original Tibetan's custom over butter tea and authentic Tibetan snacks in the Tibetan's family visit.

Day 13 Lhasa

Heavy yak butter smell and murmuring pilgrims spinning prayer wheel can be expected in Jokhang Monastery. Hunt for some exotic souvenirs among various Tibetan crafts in the bustling Barkhor Street. Please remember to follow the Tibetan locals to clockwise (the direction to spin the prayer wheel) walk this street, which the local believe it is the way to mount their merits and virtues. Tour the Norbulingka--the lushly-planted summer palace for the Dalai Lama to isolate the affairs and clear the mind. Learn the Tibetan history in the informative displays in the Tibet Museum.

Day 14 Lhasa - Chengdu

Today conclude the spiritual Tibet journey and fly to Chengdu. Try the volcanic Sichuan dishes or savor light-taste cuisine alternatives if spicy foods are not your cup of tea (or exactly not your plate of dish). Visit Chengdu worshipper-frequented Buddhism temple--Wenshu Temple. In the People's Park located Heming Teahouse that affords you sips of fresh tea and a window to see how the local's leisurely go on their life--playing mah jong, tuning the radio or squinting at the papers with glasses, etc. If you want to add more Chengdu touch to the night stay, Sichuan opera face changing, one of special elements in Sichuan Opera, is recommended to marvel at how many different masks the performer can change in the twinkling of an eye.

Day 15 Chengdu - Jiuzhaigou

Giant panda from cubs to the pre-adults and adults, the giant panda's cousin--red pandas as well as other cute animals can be view in the morning visit to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Fly to Jiuzhaigou and transfer to hotel.

Day 16 Jiuzhaigou

Have a whole day in the natural gem reserve park with your guide. A wide range of highlights in the Jiuzhaigou park like Sparkle Lake, Shuzheng waterfall, Mirror Lake, Long Lake, Five-colored Pool, etc can be a great reward for your time.

Day 17 Jiuzhaigou - Chengdu - Lijiang

Fly to Chengdu. Fly to Lijiang and transfer to hotel.

Day 18 Lijiang

Catch the scenery with your camera for the future travel memory reference in the view-filled Black Dragon Pool Park. You can visit the optional Dongba Research Institute to learn about the Naxi civilization in the rich collection of cultural relics. Immerse in the breathtaking glacier view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain after the cable car transfer. Visit the famous man in the Baisha village--Dr. Ho in his herb medicine clinic and know more about the magic medical use of pure plant roots or leaves. Read the life stories of different religions in the Baisha mural paintings. Give your ears a great treat in the Naxi Orchestra for Xuan Ke Taoist temple music performance displayed by a group of old musicians.

Day 19 Lijiang - Kunming

Marvel at the First Bend of Yangtze River and awestruck Tiger Leaping Gorge following the ancient Stone Drum Village. Fly to Kunming and transfer to hotel.

Day 20 Kunming - Guilin

Stone Forest, as its name indicates, is natural stone masterpieces clusters and the concluding stop of the Kunming trip. Fly to Guilin. Meet your Guilin guide in the airport and transfer to your Guilin hotel.

Day 21 Guilin

Ascend Solitary Beauty Peak located at the leafy Wangcheng to capture a fine view of Guilin. Visit the emblem of Guilin city--Elephant Trunk Hill and impressive grotto--Reed Flute Cave.

Day 22 Guilin - Yangshuo

Hop aboard the Li River Cruise and get your camera ready in the illuminating cruise scene section between Xingping and Yangdi. You can explore the surrounding at your will after the cruise ends in Yangshuo. West Street full of the cafes, bars, souvenir shops, etc. affords you many tour choices.

Day 23 Yangshuo - Sanya

Cycle with your guide around the Yangshuo countryside to see the rural scene: farmhouses, the planting farmers, the active pupils in the primary school, Moon Hill, Banyan Tree, etc. Yulong River raft can unveil you the Yulong Bridge, nestled Baisha village, wavering bamboo bush, hills, etc. Fly to beach destination--Sanya and transfer to hotel.

Day 24 Sanya

No prearranged itinerary is needed in this relaxing beach resort. The easily-accessible activities in Sanya Bay, Dadonghai Bay and Yalong Bay like the skiing, snorkeling, diving and parasailing can give you many fun inspirations.

Day 25 Sanya

Another free fun beach day! You can choose to make the most of the generous sunshine to get some tan, sip a cool drink in the outdoor bars or to other parks near Sanya and so on.

Day 26 Sanya - Hong Kong

The beach holiday comes to an end while the exciting shopping and sightseeing is just to begin in Hong Kong after a short flight transfer. Have an accompanied drive to Hong Kong hotel.

Day 27 Hong Kong

Cross Victoria Harbor as the locals commute via the old Star Ferry. Ascend the Victoria Peak by the old and yet safe tram to have an all-encompassing view of Hong Kong: Hong Kong Island, Victoria Harbor, Kowloon and hills afar. Hop on the Sampan to deeper experience the fishing village--Aberdeen. Abundant fresh seafoods are worthy of a try. Splash clear seawater and barefoot feel soft sand on the Repulse Bay. Join in the locals and explore good bargains in the Stanley Market--a large traditional open-air market selling an array of cheap clothing.

Day 28 Hong Kong

A whole free day for you to deeper explore this energetic city.

Day 29 Depart Hong Kong

Pack up your luggage and heavy traveling memory to head for your homebound flight.